The Marin Rift Zone is made for partying, whatever your jam. Your perfect partner for everything from one-day epics to local shredding rides, and everything in between. Critically acclaimed since their debut over five years ago, they above all embody our Made For Fun mantra and are the heart and soul of Marin’s full suspension range.
The Rift Zone alloy models are all new from the frame up for 2023, featuring more travel, fresh geometry, updated suspension kinematics and refined detailing. In addition, the range has been aligned between 29″ and
Models with 27.5 inch wheels.
And it just happened, the new Rifty has already won gold, with Marin sponsored ambassador and human genius Martha Gill taking the top step of the Dual Slalom podium at Crankworx Rotorua 2022.
Frame
3-Series aluminum frames with new tubing and forgings refresh the overall aesthetic of the Rifty, with a shorter seat tube and lower overhang from previous models. Solder fairlead entry and exit holes look great and eliminate cable/hose rattling. Cable routing is integrated into the forging and the bike is a zip-free zone. In the rear, the dropouts are now compatible with SRAM’s UDH rear derailleur hanger. The Rift Zone is also a quieter bike, with all-new chainstay and chainstay protectors with increased coverage to minimize chain slap. Proper ISCG tabs and threaded BB shells remain.
Travel
Rift Zone 29” and 27.5” alloy models see travel increased by 10mm front and 5mm rear, now at 140mm/130mm respectively, putting the bike firmly in the trail category . The Rift Zone 26 and Rift Zone Jr models now see 130mm of travel front and rear.
Geometry
The 29″ and 27.5″ frames share key geometry figures, with 65.5° head tube and 77° seat tube angles, as well as 430mm chainstays. In short, we fixed the fun-o-meter by making these significant updates to the angles. Rift Zone 26 and Jr see similar updates, with 65.5° HTA and 76° STA, with 425mm chainstays.
Kinematics and shock tuning
Marin’s team spent countless hours dialing in the frame’s kinematics, ensuring maximum performance with the current shocks on the market. From there, we worked with engineers from Fox, RockShox and X-Fusion to dial in the tunes to deliver the best combination of pedaling efficiency on climbs and flats, while delivering bottomless control when things get difficult. The new Rifty not only has more travel, it also improves the way travel is used.
Programming
A key feature that hasn’t changed is the Rift Zone assortment, with three 29″ and 27.5″ models, and the 26″ and 24″ for young rippers. Now these models have been homogenized between wheel sizes, so the colors, specs and prices remain the same across the different 1/2/XR levels, regardless of rolling stock.
Wait, what is it? What’s new with this “XR” model? It’s the replacement for what was previously the Rift Zone 3. The new XR is our “pilots spec” model, a spicier version of the Rift Zone with some of the best suspension and drivetrain specs available.
Rift zone 29″/27.5″ 1
• All-new MultiTrac Series 3 frame, 130mm travel
• X-Fusion Slide (29″) and Sweep (27.5″) Boost RC forks
• X-Fusion O2 Pro R shock with custom tuning
• Shimano Deore 1×11 drivetrain
• Shimano MT201 hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors
• Vee Tire Crown Gem tubeless tires
• 27.5″ available in frame size XS
• US$1,799/CA$2,299/£1,695/€1,999
Rift zone 29″/27.5″ 2
Rift Zone 1 Key Improvements:
• Marzocchi Bomber Z2 fork
• RockShox Deluxe Select RT Debonair rear shock
• Shimano Deore 1×12 drivetrain
• TranzX dropper post
• Vee Tire Flow Snap 2.35” tires
• US$2,399/CAD$2,999/GBP£2,195/€2,599
Rift Zone 29″/27.5″ XR
Rift Zone 2 Key Improvements:
• Marzocchi Bomber Z1 fork
• Fox Float X rear shock
• Shimano SLX/XT 1×12 drivetrain
• Shimano M420 4-piston brakes
• Maxxis Assegai MAXX TERRA EXO 2.5″ tires
• US$3,499/CA$4,449/GBP£2,995/€3,499
Rift Zone 26″/Jr
• All-new MultiTrac Series 3 frame, 130mm travel
• RC X-Fusion Velvet Boost fork, 130 mm travel
• X-Fusion O2 Pro R shock with custom tuning
• Shimano Deore 1×11 drivetrain
• Shimano MT201 hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors
• Vee Tire Flow Snap 2.4″ tires
• US$1,799/CA$2,299/GBP£1,695/€1,999
Availablity
All models are expected to be available in global markets in November/December 2022.
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